Poets speak not just to their own struggle but to all of us. As long as there is poetry, then we shall in some way—all of us—be heard. Poetry is its own democracy, a country that has no divisions, no boundaries, that reaches across time and across culture and language, to each of us and demands that each of our voices be heard.

Resolving My War with Meter and How to Use it or Even Make Sense of It

My Losing Battle with Meter Timothy Steele, all the fun’s in how you say a thing: An Explanation of Meter and Versification (Athens: Ohio University Press, 1999) Missing Measures: Modern Poetry and the Revolt Against Meter (Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press, 1990)                In his book Missing Measures, Timothy Steele argues that, despite the…

About Bruce

Bruce Spang, former Poet Laureate of Portland, ME, is the author of two novels, The Deception of the Thrush and Those Close Beside Me. He’s written multiple books of poems, including his latest, All You’ll Derive: The Caretaker’s Journey, published in 2019, which chronicles his caring for his mother in the last years of her life. He’s also published the poetry collections To the Promised Land Grocery and Boy at the Screen Door along with several anthologies and several chapbooks, and his poems have been widely published in journals across the United States. He teaches fiction and poetry at Ollie and lives in Candler, NC with his husband Myles and their four dogs, five fish, and thirty birds.

4 thoughts on “

  1. Bruce, I found some old photos and thought you might enjoy seeing them. I trust you are doing well. Email me and I can send them to you! Always fondly, Penny

    1. Penny,
      I used one of your photographs for the updated website. Not that I look like that anymore. But, gee, illusion is important. Not delusion which I hope to keep at bay for a few more years. We have enough of that in this present administration. Do stay in touch. And if you are coming by, let me know. We have an extra room. I think you would like Myles and our five dogs. They like everyone. Very indiscriminate.
      Bruce

  2. Bruce, Are you the Bruce P. Spang that was an SAE at DePauw? The reference to brother Skip above suggest quite possibly. I have become the semi official historian/social co-ordinater for the 1965 pledge class, 1969 graduating class. The five of us remaining were wondering if there might be 6 remaining from that class and if so, what news of Ralph/Skip. All the best, John

    yes, John, I’m the one. Only six left of us. Gad! Skip died two years ago. Send me message to me again, since site is updated and I get your email and can get back to you.
    Bruce

    1. Hi, John,
      I do remember you. I did go to DePauw and was an SAE. In fact, I wrote a novel about the experience, disguised somewhat, called The Deception of the Thrush, which is online. I graduated in 1968, quite a year. My brother died two years ago, leukemia. I miss him dearly. But would love to stay in touch with the other guys. I tried to round up friends from my class for our 50th. But, gosh, it was a shock to see the ailments and troubles that plagued them, from strokes, to mental health crisis, to depression. By some grace, I’ve avoid those so far and am happily married to my husband. We have five dogs, 34 birds, 6 fish, and a grandson and two kids who are adults now. Keep me in the loop. My latest book of poems All You’ll Derive: A Caregiver’s Journey is about taking care of my 100 year old mom right up to her death. I have another book dedicated to my brother listed on this site, written for him in the last months of his life. Tell me what you are up to and any of the others still kicking. Bruce

Comments are closed.

search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close